Liquid dispensing apparatus



Jan. 5, 1943. R. R. TREXLER LIQUID DISPENSING APPARATUS Filed Jan. 16, 1939 1N VENTOR.

2 Sheefcs-Sheet 1 Bfiat/zazd ez Z617 m O n A 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 R. R. TREXLER Filed Jan. 16, 1939 LIQUID DI SPENS ING APPARATUS Jan. 5, 1943.

1N VENTOR. Tchaz'djraxlez' BY. 4/ WZ ATTORNEY Patented Jan. 5, 1943 UNITED- STATES PATENT OFFICE LIQUID DISPENSING APPARATUS Richard R. Trexler, Evanston, Ill.

Application January 16, 1939, Serial No. 251,121

8 Claims. (Cl. 22h-95) This invention relates to liquid dispensing apparatus, and more particularly to air and vapor release mechanisms therefor.

It is an object oi the invention to provide an air and vapor release mechanism of simplified construction and operation particularly adapted for use with liquid dispensing apparatus wherein no metering mechanism is provided, the dispensing pumping means itself being used as a measuring unit.

More speciilcally it is an object of the invention to provide air and vapor release mechanism of simplied construction and operation which may be applied to the dispensing line of liquid dispensing apparatus on the inlet or suction side oi' the dispensing pumping means.

In accordance with one form of the invention air and vapor release means is provided in the dispensing line on the suction sideof the pumping means, and an aspirator is provided for exhausting the separated air from the release means. This aspirator may be powered from the liquid ilow within the dispensing line on the outlet side of the pumping means, auxiliary pumping mechanism or the like being unnecessary.

In accordance with another form of the invention an auxiliary pump is provided for withdrawing the separated air from the air and vapor release means, said pump having provisions for exhausting the air to atmosphere.

In accordance with a third form of the invention no air release mechanism is provided, but a vapor accumulation chamber is arranged in the dispensing line on the suction side of the pumping means, the arrangement being such that liquid vapor will accumulate within the chamber, the vapor being condensed and returned to the dispensing line during operation of the apparatus.

Various objects, features and advantages of the invention will appear from the following specification when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein certain preferred embodiments of the invention are illustrated.

In the drawings, wherein like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout:

Fig. l is a general assembly view, partly in section, of a liquid dispensing apparatus embodying the features of the invention in accordance with one form thereof.

Fig. 2 is a detail view of the aspirator mechanism used as a part of the apparatus shown in Fig. l.

Fig. 3 is a detail view of the air and vapor re` This invention relates particularly to gasoline dispensing apparatus, and provides simplied and improved air and liquid vapor release mechanism particularly adapted ior use therewith. It is to be understood, however, that various i'eatures of the invention are adapted for use in other connections and that they may be used with various types of mechanisms in the removal of air and liquid vapor.

Referring to the embodiment of the invention illustrated in Figs. 1, 2 and 3, and iirst particularly to Fig. 1, the gasoline dispensing apparatus shown comprises an underground tank or reservoir I0 adapted to form a source of gasoline or liquid supply for the apparatus. The tank is supplied with a illling pipe II by means of which the gasoline may be introduced into the tank, and with an air release pipe I 2 exhausting to the atmosphere beneath the casing I3 of the dispensing apparatus. A pipe I4, which may be provided with the usual foot valve (not shown) leads from the underground tank I0 from a position adjacent the bottom thereof, to an air and vapor release chamber I5, shown in detail in Fig. 3 and later to be specifically described. A pipe I6 leads from the bottom of chamber I5 to the inlet side of the main dispensing pump I'I. The outlet oi the pump leads through a pipe I8, a foot valve I9, a pipe 20, a iiow retarding valve 2|, a pipe 22, a sight glass 23, a flexible hose 2l and finally to a dispensing nozzle 25 controlled by valve 26. A pipe 21 connects pipes 20 and 22 around the flow retarding valve. This pipe and its associated parts, shown in detail in Fig. 2, forms the aspirator mechanism for withdrawing air from the air and vapor release mechanism I5, and will be described more particularly hereinafter.

The dispensing pump I1 is adapted to be driven from an electric motor 28 by means of a belt or the like 29. 'I'he circuit to the electric motor is controlled by a switch adapted to be operated by the pivoted nozzle hook 3l upon which thedispensing nozzle is supported. A second switch 32 is arranged in the motor con/-Y trol circuit, in series with switch 3B. The swith 32 is adapted to be operated by a bellows 33 having fluid communication with the pipe 20 by means of the pipe 34.

The main dispensing pump I1 is arranged to drive the registering mechanism of the apparatus kby means of gearing 35 and shaft 36. The upper end of the shaft drives a volume register 31 by means of a chain 38, a shaft 39, gearing 40, a shaft 4I, and driving connections 42. The shaft 36 is also arranged to drive a total cost register 43 through a variator or change speed gearing 44, gearing 45 and driving connections 46, the variator enabling the cost of the gasoline to be computed at diierent unit prices as is well known in the art. K

In the operation of the parts described, the dispensing cycle is initiated by removing the hose nozzle from its supporting hook 3I, and raising or pivoting the hook upwardly after removal of the nozzle. This causes the closing of the switch 30, partially completing the electric circuit to the driving motor 28. However, at this time and prior to the opening of the nozzle valve 26, there is pressure in the pipe 20, this pressure having been maintained in the pipe following the previous dispensing operation by the foot valve I9.

This pressure is transmitted through pipe 34 to the pressure bellows 33 so that the switch 32 is held in open position. As the operator opens nozzle valve 26, after arranging the nozzle in dispensing position, the pressure within pipe 20 and within the bellows 33 is released. This causes the closing of the switch 32 completing the circuit to the motor, the motor starts, and the dispensing pump is driven. As the pump is operated, gasoline is withdrawn from the underground tanki, passed through the air and vapor release means I5, through the pump I'l, and out through the dispensing nozzle 25.

At the completion of the dispensing operation, the operator closes nozzle valve 26. This causes a building up of pressure within pipe 20 and the bellows 33, causing the opening of switch 32. This circuit to the electric motor is broken and the pump I1 stops. When the nozzle is restored to the hook 3I, the downward pivotal movement of the hook opens switch 30, further disabling the electric motor circuit.

Dispensing at partial rates of flow may be effected by closing the nozzle valve the desired or proportionate amount, the arrangement of the bellows 33 and its switch 32 being such that the switch is not opened until the pressure within the bellows builds up toa point which is reached only when the nozzle valve is closed.

It will be seen that the movements of the dispensing pumpl I1 are proportional to the volume of liquid dispensed. Accordingly the dis pensing pump may be used to drive the total gallon register 31 and the cost register 43 through the change speed gearing or variator 44, in the manner previously indicated. The pumping means is thus itself used as a measuring unit,

no metering mechanism being provided.

The mechanism heretofore described is set forth for purposes of illustration only. The invention relates particularly to the air and liquid vapor removal means and mechanisms now to be described.

As shown in Fig. 3, the air and vapor release device I 5 comprises a main chamber 5U into whichgasoline is introduced by the supply pipe I4 and removed bythe outlet pipe I6. During the dispensing operation, as gasoline is passed through chamber 50, any air and vapor con tained therein will separate out and accumulate at the upper part of the chamber 50, and also in the auxiliary chamber 6I communicating with chamber through a perforated baille plate 52. This baiiie plate reduces turbulence within the auxiliary chamber 5I. A pipe 53 provided with a restricted orifice 54 leads to a separation or recovery chamber 55. This latter chamber is provided with a pipe 56 leading to the aspirator mechanism and a pipe 51 leading back to the dispensing line at the inlet to the pump I'I. F1o-ats 58 and 59 are provided in the chambers and 5I yrespectively as shown. The float 69 is provided with a single valve 60, and the tloat 58 is provided with upper and lower valves 6I and 62. i

'I'he aspirator mechanism, shown in detail in Fig. 2, comprises a plug member 64 arranged in the pipe 21. This plug member is provided with a restricted passageway 65 having communication with pipe 21, and with a bleed passage 66 having communication with the passage 65 at its point of maximum constriction. The bleed passage 66 communicates with the pipe 56 leading from the recovery chamber of the air and vapor release mechanism. through a connection 61, which connection is provided with a spring pressed check valve 68. 'I'he flow retarding valve 2|, which is arranged between pipes 20 and 22, comprises specifically a valve member 69 which is urged into closed position by a spring 10.

In operation, during the dispensing oi gasoline at a substantial rate of delivery, the liquid stream on the outlet side of the pump will be divided as it passes from pipe 20 to pipe 22, most of the stream passing directly from pipe 20 to pipe 22 through the valve 2| and a portion of the stream being diverted through pipe 21. The pipe 21 with its restricted passageway 65 thus constitutes no barrier or impediment to iiow within the dispensing line so that the capacity or pumping rate of the apparatus is not aifected or reduced. However, the flow retarding valve 69 produces a slight restriction to ow between pipes 26 and 22, so that when dispensing is being eifected at a reduced or slow rate of now, due to the partial closing of nozzle valve 26, a portion of the stream commensurate with the capacity of pipe 21 and passageway 65 is always diverted therethrough. In other words, a substantial ow through pipe 21 and passageway 65 takes place at all rates of delivery during dispensing operations.

As is well known in hydraulics a constriction in a ow line produces a point of suction or low pressure due to the increased velocity of the liquid at the point of constriction. In conformity with this principle the constricted passageway 65 produces a point of suction which is communicated to the pipe 56 through the bleed passage 66, the passageways 65 and 66 thus constituting an aspirator or liquid suction device for drawing air from pipe 56 and introducing it into the liquid stream passing through pipe 21.

It will be seen that the recovery chamber 55 of the air and vapor release mechanism is thus constantly subjected to the suction of the aspirator during dispensing operations. Recovery chamber 55 is also subjected to suction by means of the pipe 51' as the lower end of this pipe comtakes `l` plaein Y l 'gasolineis passed througnthe air and ,vapor ref rlease'mechanism` I5, theentralned air and gaso-vv line f1 Passes -through chamber and fr uit ima' me of pump ihtinfthe dispensing line `wherein suc- `.litio .or vacuum conditionsare a maximum.

lin'eefd'iqi'iid is. assedlthroughfthe pump I1 fthe ollowing manner: rAs the aporwill be separated from the liquid' as it 59as previously stated. liquid free .of air and vapor is drawn from bottom of the. chamber through the pipe l5.

the

The separated air and. vapor accumulate at the y ber 55. In the recovery chamber the air separates from the liquid vapor, the air-accumulating at the upper part of the chamber and the liquid vapor condensing and accumulating as liquid at the lower part thereof. When the float 53 is in "are:'tnelfgieandliiquid vapo;v fromen dispensih prio .to the time that me s' 'pipe ...',l'l Y. mounted upon f .Thefconstruction o undertd in rieee toll?- 5 einem v dispensinsfpump I" may be. f the zeer wmprising a'ihoursinglland apair d'ffside 'platesfll and,., 33 enclosing a paiiuoiy intermeshing gears or pinned thereto whic its lowered position, as shown in Fig. 3, pipe 55 'l is in communication with the recovery chamber and air will be drawn therefrom and introduced into the liquid stream flowing through the pipe 21 by the aspirator, as previously described. As the liquid level within the recovery chamber is raised, due to the accumulation of condensed'vapor, the pipe 51 will be placed into communication with the recovery chamber, and the accumulated liquid will be drawn back into the dispensing line at the suction side of pump I1. The float 53 and its associated valves 6I and 62 thus constitute means for preventing the passage o f liquid into the pipe 55 or the passage of air into the pipe 51. Only liquid free of vapor and air can pass downwardly through pipe 51, and only air will pass upwardly through pipe B. In view of the fact that only liquid which is free of air and vapor passes through pipes I6 and 51, pump I1 will constitute an accurate measuring unit for measuring the quantity of liquid dispensed. The air is reintroduced into the liquid stream at the aspirator, but this reintroduction takes place at the outlet side of the pumpand is immaterial leading to no inaccuracy in registration. At the end of the dispensing operation as the dispensing viiow is stopped, the check valve 63 will close to prevent '.any reverse flow through pipe 56. 'I'his check valve together. with the foot valve I9 maintains liquid pressure within the pipe 29 and the bellows 33.

It will be seen that the foregoing mechanism constitutes an eiective and simplified arrangement for separating air and liquid vapor from the dispensing line on the suction side of the pump, the dispensing stream itself being used as a means for withdrawing the separated air from the release mechanism.

In Fig. 4 en embodiment of the invention is illustrated wherein auxiliary pumping mechanism is provided for withdrawing air and liquid vapor from the release means. In this instance the air and vapor release mechanism I5 is provided with a pipe 13 leading from the upper part of the auxiliarychamber 5I through a restricted orifice 14, and with a pipe 15 leading from the main chamber of the air and vapor release means from a position adjacent the bottom thereof. These two pipes combine and lead by means of Idriven from ashafl 33, havinga pulley .wheel 34 is .adaptedto be ldriven by the motorbelt 29. The shaft for the gear 32 has mounted thereon the vdriving gear or gearing l. 35 by means of which the register operating shaft 33 is driven. The shaft 35 is extended through the plate 30 and has fixed to its outer end a gear 35. Gear 35 meshes with a similar gear 31, the two gears forming the pumping units ofthe auxiliary pump 11. A side plate 33 yand a`hous ing member 39 form the housing structure for the auxiliary pump. It will be seen that as the gears of the main dispensing pump I1 are driven, the gears of the auxiliary pump will also be driven in synchronism therewith. In other words, the auxiliary pump operates whenever the main dispensing pump is'in operation, and at proportional speed. f

Referring again to Fig. 4, the outlet side of the auxiliarv pump is provided with a pipe 9Ii leading through check valve 9| to a.recovery chamber 92. This recovery chamber is provided with an air release pipe 93 and with a liquid return pipe 94 leading from the bottom of the chamber .back tothe inlet pipe I4 of the main dispensing line. A float 95 provided with a valve 96 is mounted within the recovery chamber.

In operation, as the main dispensing pump is operated, the auxiliary pump l1 will operate simultaneously therewith drawing air and liquid vapor which has accumulated in the release means I5 through the restricted orice 14 and the pipe 13, and also drawing liquid from the lower part of the air and vapor release means through the pipe 15. The provision of pipe 15 insures that there will be a constant iiow of liquid to the pump 11 when it is operating, even though air and vapor is being drawn through the pipe 13, whereby to prevent unpriming of the pump. The restricted orice 14 also limits the rate of air and vapor withdrawal through pipe 13. In the construction shown in Fig. 4 the provision of a float within the auxiliarv chamber 5I, such for example as the iloat 59 as shown in Fig. 3, is superfluous, for if there is no accumulated air and liquid vapor within the release means, 1iquid will be drawn through the restricted orifice 14and the pipe 13.

The mixture oi air, liquid vapor. and liquid is discharged from thev auxiliary pump by means of pipe 99 to the recovery chamber 92. In this chamber the air is separated out and passes in atmosphere through pipe 93. The liquid and the condensed liquid vapor accumulate at the bottom of the chamber, and when the accumulation has reached a predetermined amount, the oat is raised opening valve 95, and permitting the return of the liquid through pipe 94 to the main suction pipe I4. valve maintains a liquid seal between pipe 94 and the atmosphere, preventing the drawing of air into the dispensing pipe I4. The check valve The iioat 95 and its associated previously described in connection with Figs. 1. 2 and 3.

In certain installations'it may be unnecessary to provide air release means for. the liquid after it has left the underground tank, it beingvsuillcient to provide for the prevention of the passage of liquid vaporjto the suction side of the pump,

as this would result in inaccuracyin registration. Such a construction is shown in Fig. 6.

In this instance any air within the gasoline in the underground tank will separate out while the gasoline is in the tank, passing to atmosphere throughthe air release pipe i2. Inasmuch as the suction pipe I 4 leads from the tank from a position adjacent the bottom thereof, there is little chance for air to bedrawn into the dispensing line, and in this particular embodiment no provision is made for the release of air from the gasoline after it has been drawn into -the pipe I4. However, a vapor eliminator chamber 88 is provided for preventing the passage of gasoline vapor to the dispensing pump I1. As shown, this chamber is arranged between the pipes i4 and I6, and is disposed at the highest point of the dispensing line on the suction side of the pump. Accordingly any vapor forming in pipes I 4 and I6, or Within chamber 98, during the time that the dispensing apparatus is idle and before a dispensing operation, willpass to the upper portion of the chamber and accumulate therein as illustrated in Fig. 6. The formation and accumulation of such vapor primarily occurs in hot weather when the dispensing line is subjected to the heat of the atmosphere. As the dispensing operation starts, relatively cool liquid from the underground tank will be drawn into the chamber 98 gradually condensing the vapor accumulated therein, thus reconditioning the system. 'I'he pipe i6 connected to the inlet side of the pump leads from the bottom of the chamber 98 preventing the passage of vapor to the pipe. The chamber must be made large enough to receive such vapor as may be normally expected to accumulate within the dispensing line as the apparatus is idle in warm weather, without permitting the vapor level to become low enough under vacuum to break the liquid seal to the inlet of pipe I6.

It is obvious that various changes may be made in the specific embodiments of the invention set forth for purposes of illustration Without departing from the spirit thereof, for example, the ow retardingvalve 2 I, as shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3, could be eliminated, if desired. Likewise the float 59 and associated valve 60 may be eliminated. This float valve merely insures that there will be no passage of material into the pipe 53 unless and until sufiicient air and vapor have accumulated to lower the float and open the valve. However, the restricted orifice 54 cuts down the permissible rate of flow into 4pipe 53 to such an extent that even though liquid passes into the pipe, the capacity of the return pipe 51 is not exceeded. In this event the liquid will merely pass from pipe 53 to pipe 51 and to the suction side of the pump. Accordingly the invention is not to be limited to the specific embodiments shown and described, but only as indicated in the following claims.

The invention is hereby claimed as follows:

1. A liquid dispensing apparatus comprising a dispensing line adapted to be connected to a source of liquid supply, dispensing pumping means arranged in said line for propelling liquid therethrough, air separation means for separating air and liquid arranged'in the dispensing line on the inlet side oi' said pumping means, and an aspirator pump operated by the liquid now within the dispensing line for withdrawing air from the separation means, said aspirator being operative to eject the withdrawn air into the dispensing line beyond the dispensing pumping means.

2. A liquid dispensing apparatus comprising a dispensing line adapted to be connected to a source of liquid supply. dispensing pumping means arranged in said line for propelling liquid therethrough, a dispensing nozzle at the outlet end of said line, air separation means for separatingl air and liquid arranged in the dispensing line, and an aspirator in the dispensing line between the source of supply and the dispensing nozzle for withdrawing air from the separation means and for relntroducing it into the dispensing line.

3. A liquid dispensing apparatus comprising a' dispensing line adapted to be connected to a source of liquid supply. dispensing pumping means arranged in said ,line for propelling liquid therethrough, a nozzle at the outlet end oi.' said line, air separation means for separating air and liquid arranged in the dispensing line on the inlet side of said pumping means, and an aspirator in the dispensing line betw'een the source of supply and the dispensing nozzle powered by the liquid iiow within the dispensing line on the outlet side of the pumping means for withdrawing air from the separation means and for reintroducing it into the dispensing line.

4. A liquid dispensing apparatus comprising a l dispensing line adapted to be connected to a source of liquid supply, dispensing pumping means arranged in said line for propelling liquid therethrough, air separation means for separating air and liquid arranged in the dispensing line on the inlet side of said pumping means, and aspirator means operated by the pumping means to reintroduce separated air from the separation means into the dispensing line on the outlet side of the pumping means.

, 5. A liquid dispensing apparatus comprising a dispensing line adapted to be connected to a source of liquid supply. dispensing pumping means arranged in said line for propelling liquid therethrough, a dispensing nozzle at the outlet end of said line, air separation means arranged in the dispensing line on the inlet side of the pumping means, and aspirator mechanism arranged in the dispensing line between the pumping means and the dispensing nozzle for withdrawing air from the separation means and for reintroducing it into the dispensing line, said aspirator mechanism comprising a main uid channel and an. auxiliary channel arranged in parallel with the main channel, said auxiliary channel having a suction producing constriction therein.

6. A liquid dispensing apparatus as defined in claim 5 wherein the main fluid channel of the aspirator is provided with a ow retarding valve for diverting flow through the auxiliary channel.

7. A liquid dispensing apparatus comprising a dispensing line adapted to be connected to a source of liquid supply, dispensing pumping means arranged in said line for propelling liquid therethrough, air separation means for separating air and liquid arranged in the dispensing lne, and an aspirator operated by the liquid ilow within the dispensing line for withdrawing ai! from the separation means, said aspirator being operative to eject the withdrawn air into the dispensing line.

8. A liquid dispensing apparatus comprising a dispensing line adapted to be connected to a source of liquid supply, dispensing pumping means arranged in said line for propelling liquid therethrough, air separation means arranged in the dispensing line on the inlet side of the pumping means, said separation means comprising an air accumulation chamber, a conduit having a restricted orice leading from the upper portion of the chamber, a recovery chamber connected to the other end of the conduit, an air exhaust pipe leading from the upper end of the recovery chamber. a liquid return pipe leading from the lower end of the recovery chamber into the dispensing line, a float in the recovery chamber, valves cooperating with the air exhaust and liquid return pipes operated by the iloat, and suction means connected to the air exhaust pipe for withdrawing air from the recovery chamber, said suction means comprising an aspirator powered by the liquid flow in the dispensing line on the outlet side of the pumping means and operative to reintroduce the separated air into vthe dispensing line.

RICHARD R. TREXLER. 

